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Novak Djokovic faces deportation from Australia after visa is revoked again

Defending men's champion Serbia's Novak Djokovic practices on Margaret Court Arena.
Novak Djokovic practices at Margaret Court Arena in Melbourne on Thursday ahead of next week’s Australian Open.
(Mark Baker / Associated Press)
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Tennis star Novak Djokovic faces deportation again after the Australian government revoked his visa for a second time.

Immigration Minister Alex Hawke said Friday he used his ministerial discretion to revoke the 34-year-old Serb’s visa on public interest grounds three days before the Australian Open is to begin.

Djokovic’s lawyers are expected to appeal the cancellation in the Federal Circuit and Family Court as they successfully did after the first cancellation.

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No decision has been made on whether Novak Djokovic will be allowed to remain in Australia as he is drawn into next week’s Australian Open.

Jan. 12, 2022

It is the second time Djokovic’s visa has been canceled since he arrived in Melbourne last week to defend his Australian Open title.

His exemption from a COVID-19 vaccination requirement to compete was approved by the Victoria state government and Tennis Australia, the tournament organizer. That apparently allowed him to receive a visa to travel.

But the Australian Border Force rejected the exemption and canceled his visa upon arrival in Melbourne. He spent four nights in hotel detention before a judge on Monday overturned that decision.

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